I Can’t Have My Cake, And Eat It Too?

Just months ago I was praying to the football gods to keep Rich Rodriguez at West Virginia. That was because I felt we were a year away from contending for a national title, not to mention that Rich Rod runs one of the most complex spread offenses in America. I felt if he left, we could kiss our title chances goodbye and we’d have to wait another 4 years for new recruits to fit the new coaches system. Much like when Don Nehlan left and Rod took over. Little did  I know at the time that I’d be wishing for so much more.

However, that wish came after I repeatedly said that I would rather lose Rod anyday than head basketball coach John Beilein. I’ve been one of if not the biggest JB supporters since he took over the Mountaineers 5 years ago. I loved the fact that he recruited smart basketball players to play within his motion offense and played a tough 1-3-1 defense.

If only I could take my wish back, I would… wouldn’t I? Before he departed Morgantown on Monday night for a cool $1.3 million to coach the Michigan Wolverines, Beilein led us to an Elite 8, a Sweet 16 and the NIT title in just 5 years. Why would anyone want to say goodbye to that?

However, the more I examine it the more I am beginning to believe I am being selfish. JB would have always played second fiddle to WVU’s football program. Not to mention, with the contract extension and upgrades promised to Rodriguez it looked as if WVU would not be able to match any offer that Michigan would be able to extend to Beilein.

But it’s so much more than that, I’m not being selfish for wanting to keep Beilein. I’m being selfish for wanting to keep him over Coach Rod.

You see, in today’s modern era it seems like the WVU’s of the world just can’t keep pace financially with other elite programs thus making it difficult for us to ever become one of the elite dual sport programs. WVU had to put all of it’s eggs into one basket this year and they chose the football program, the money maker, the national title contender and I’m beginning to understand why. Without the money that football brings in we will never be able to bring in or keep great basketball coaches at West Virginia. We will never be able to be a school that can sustain two elite programs at the same time EVER AGAIN if we don’t build a football powerhouse.

However, how many schools can really boast having great football and basketball programs? Is it really possible in today’s day and age?

Here’s a list of schools who have been above par when it comes to football and basketball recently:

1. Florida- On top of the world right now after sandwiching a football championship in between two basketball titles. Florida has an enrollment of about 50,ooo students(5) and a football stadium that sells out at 90, 716. Urban Meyer and Bill Donovan are two of the great young coaches.

2. Ohio State- A national title this decade coupled with two runner-up finishes. Enrollment of 50, 504(3rd)and a football stadium that seats 101, 568. Jim Tressel and Thad Matta are two of the top recruiters in the nation.

3. University of Texas-Austin- A recent national football championship, a top-tier basketball program, enrollment just shy of 50,000(4) and a football stadium that seats 85,123. Mack Brown and Rick Barnes are definately household names.

4. University of Soutern California- The mecca of college football this decade, located in LOS ANGELES, 36,000+ students, and a football stadium that seats 92,000. Two former pro coaches can’t hurt.

5. Tennessee- Having a football stadium that seats 104, 097 makes 26,400 a mere sidenote. A great women’s basketball program and National Football Title are impressive on the resume. Phil Fulmer and Bruce Pearl are good at what they do.

Now let’s see how those numbers compare to WVU and Michigan:

West Virginia- Enrollment of approxiamately 28,000, football seating capacity of 60,000. No National Titles, Elite 8 Sweet 16, Top 10 football finishes, Sugar Bowl(BCS) victory, NIT Title.

Michigan- Enrollment of 38,000. Football Stadium seast 107,501. Second fiddle to OSU, football title in 1997, NIT Title.

Michigan could have easily been slated in the 5 spot, but were missing one thing, a basketball coach to bring them back into the national spotlight. They will undoubtedly contend for a National Title in football this year and the money will never run dry with a stadium that size. Beilein will have more resources and better facilities to work with than he did at the WVU Coliseum and with his coaching history I don’t see why he won’t be able to give UM football a run for it’s money.

WVU’s enrollment continues to increase, but their ceiling is closing in faster and faster so they are going to need a football championship or a bigger football stadium (or both) to keep pace financially with these other institutions. Otherwise Morgantown will just be a breeding ground for great coaches moving on to more lucrative positions.

I’m beginning to think we kept the right man and I don’t blame Morganotwn’s Basketball Messiah for bolting to a University that can handle his services. Rather I wish him the best in his new position because that’s what he deserves and that’s what he gave us.

Now that we know that Beilein had to leave, let’s examine the void left he left and the potential suitors who could become successor. If the Mountaineers don’t want to miss a beat with their next head coach then the search is going to be more complex than most people realize. JB recruited players to fit his basketball system, much like Rodriguez’s spread, so WVU will have to look deeper to find coaches that run their programs with a similar mentality and for the similar dime.

 My list would include(Very similar to BlueGoldNews):

1. Jeff Neubauer- He is a Beilein disciple who quickly turned Eastern Kentucky into the top team in the Ohio Valley Conference. He knows some of the players and would be the perfect fit at this point to replace Beilein.

2. Bob Huggins- I’m not too sold on Huggins and that’s why I have him below JN. However, there is no doubt the guy can recruit and with the direction that WVU is going in Football he could be the kind of elite coach that could keep pace. With that status though comes the money and I don’t know if AD Ed Pastilong will want to pay Huggins-type dollars.

3. Travis Ford- Turned UMASS program around and will probably be the favorite to win the A-10 next year. He gets the most out of his players and has alot of respect for the team Beilein has left behind.

4. Ron Everhardt- A WV native(Fairmont) who is just up the road at Duquesne. Not a proven recruiter yet, but already has a foot in the Beilein pipeline.

5. Keith Dambrot- My sleeper- Akron coach led the Zips to a 26-7 mark, but got ousted from their tourney bid on a miracle 3 by Miami(OH). Dambrot brings a workmanlike attitude to the table, stressing balance and team before individual.

I would have liked to put Jeff Bzdelik on this list but he is moving on to Colorado.

Good Luck Coach…..150 days until WVU football kicks off.